Here are the programs we will be reviewing:

Let’s break these down a bit! And make sure to download our FREE Catholic Sacrament Prep Curriculum Comparison Chart to reference:

Meeting Jesus in the Eucharist from Catholic Icing is a complete, family-centered homeschool curriculum designed to prepare children for both First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. It provides an all-in-one, open-and-go program with 29 read-aloud lessons, a hands-on journal, mini storybooks, prayer materials, and songs to help with memorization. The lessons are written in a gentle, conversational style to help children understand the sacraments while encouraging discussion and reflection as a family.

Price: $199

Sacraments: First Communion

Digital or Physical: Physical

Format: Lesson book and journal

Questions to consider:

Renewed & Received is a two-part sacrament preparation program from Ascension Press that prepares children for First Reconciliation (Renewed) and First Holy Communion (Received) through a video-based approach. The program includes 24 total lessons (12 per sacrament) built around short, high-quality videos (about 3–5 minutes each), paired with student workbooks, activities, and discussion questions.

Price: $179.95

Sacraments: First Communion and First Reconciliation

Digital or Physical: Physical

Format: Lesson book and online videos

Questions to consider:

Manna & Mercy is a 20 week course for First Confession and First Communion. It takes a comprehensive and engaging approach by combining prayer, Scripture, lives of the Saints, virtues, Catechism, and hands-on activities to help children understand and live out their faith. Each lesson follows a structured yet flexible format that includes memorization, storytelling, practical application, and interactive exploration, allowing students to not only learn key teachings of the Church but also apply them in their daily lives.

Price: $ 50

Sacraments: First Communion and First Reconciliation

Digital or Physical: Digital Download

Format: Open-and-Go Syllabus and Printable activities

Questions to consider:

The Blessed series from Dynamic Catholic is a multimedia sacrament preparation program for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion that combines short animated videos, illustrated workbooks, and guided lessons. At the heart of the program are 84 short animated films designed to capture children’s attention and help them understand key Catholic teachings in a relatable, story-driven way. These are paired with workbooks, discussion questions, and parent resources, all created to engage both children and families in the learning process.

Price: $19.95 for each Sacrament (Shipping only)

Sacraments: First Communion and First Reconciliation

Digital or Physical: Physical

Format: Student workbook and leader guide with video component

Questions to consider:

Preparing to Receive Jesus from Catholic Heritage Curricula is a hands-on, supplemental sacrament preparation resource designed to help children prepare for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. The program uses a combination of inspirational stories, hands-on projects, discussion prompts, and visual materials to help children “take to heart” what they are learning about the sacraments. It is organized into lessons (typically one per week over about 21 weeks) and includes a Book with teaching content and a Packet with templates and materials for activities like creating a handmade Mass book.

Price: $33.45 (Book and Packet)

Sacraments: First Communion and First Reconciliation

Digital or Physical: Physical

Format: Leader guide with Activity pages

Questions to consider:

Go, Seek, Find is a Scripture-centered sacrament preparation program designed to help children prepare for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion through an interactive, discovery-based approach. At the heart of the program is The Catholic Children’s Bible, which children use to explore the sacraments through the life and teachings of Jesus. Lessons follow a simple three-part structure—“Go” (engage), “Seek” (explore Scripture), and “Find” (reflect and apply)—and are supported by hands-on activities, workbooks, stickers, and “treasure maps” that track progress.

Price: $51.95 (Kit with hardcover Bible)

Sacraments: First Communion and First Reconciliation

Digital or Physical: Physical

Format: Leader guide with Activity books

Questions to consider:

Signs of Grace is a comprehensive sacrament preparation program for children (and their parents). It prepares students for First Holy Communion through a blended approach of videos, Scripture, activities, and discussion. The program is designed to help children understand the sacraments by presenting them as a real encounter with Jesus Christ. Lessons typically include short instructional videos, Bible readings, hands-on activities, reflection questions, and quizzes. A key feature of Signs of Grace is its strong emphasis on family faith formation. It provides take-home materials and parent resources so that the entire family can grow together, recognizing that children learn the faith most deeply within the home.

Price: $149

Sacraments: First Communion

Digital or Physical: Physical

Format: Leader guide with Activity books and DVD

Questions to consider:

So after going through ALL this information, are you still asking yourself which one is best for you?

Here are some break downs that might help make your decision a bit easier...

IF BUDGET IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR YOU THEN CONSIDER THESE OPTIONS:

IF A VIDEO-BASED APPROACH IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILD’S LEARNING THEN CONSIDER THESE OPTIONS:

FOR A SERIES THAT INSTRUCTS ON THE NOVUS ORDO AND THE TRADITIONAL LATIN RITE MASS CONSIDER THIS OPTION:

IF A GENTLE, FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE IS IMPORTANT TO YOU THEN CONSIDER THESE OPTIONS:

We know that making this decision is not an easy one, but all of these programs have a good focus on parent involvement, which is key to faith formation! The more you put yourself and your own faith formation into this process, the more your child will learn to make the faith their own. We will be praying for you! 🙏